Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the East Side Park Pud topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission backs East Side Park PUD for 94 duplex‑style units; asks applicant to pursue sidewalk extension with FDOT
Summary
The commission recommended approval of the East Side Park planned unit development — a proposal for 94 duplex‑style, two‑story units at roughly 6.5 units per acre — and added direction to work with FDOT and the city on connecting sidewalks along East Tenth Street.
The St. Cloud Planning Commission recommended approval of comprehensive‑plan and zoning map amendments and the preliminary master plan for East Side Park PUD, a proposed medium‑density, duplex‑style community of 94 units.
Bernice Gonzalez, principal planner, said the development proposes a medium‑density residential future land use and a planned unit development zoning that would allow 94 duplex‑style single‑family units. Gonzalez told commissioners the site’s layout includes rear‑loading lots accessed by alleys, about 30% open space (roughly 10 percentage points more than the minimum requirement), and amenities such as a lakeside walkway, pickleball court, dog park and enhanced streetscape facing East Tenth Street.
Chris Taylor, the applicant’s engineer, said the project’s density is about 6.5 units per acre, the units would be two stories with three bedrooms and two baths, and the team had held a neighborhood charrette to discuss design and buffers with adjacent property owners. “We have about 30‑plus percent open space, which is about 10% more of what's required for this type of development,” Taylor said.
Neighbors asked the commission to press for a continuous sidewalk connection along East Tenth Street, particularly across an FDOT‑owned retention pond where a sidewalk gap currently exists. Developer representatives said they would try to secure FDOT permission to extend the sidewalk; Bernice Gonzalez said the city can request additional improvements beyond the code as part of the PUD and can forward a recommendation to City Council.
Commissioners moved to recommend approval of Ordinance 2025‑14 (future land use amendment) and Ordinance 2025‑15 (zoning and preliminary master plan). The motions included a specific additional condition asking the applicant and city to work with FDOT on the sidewalk connection; both motions passed (one vote recorded as five‑zero and the subsequent motion also passed). Staff noted further engineering and master‑plan review will be required before construction, and that any sidewalk extension across FDOT right‑of‑way would require FDOT permission and likely a future capital project if FDOT does not grant access.
The recommendation advances to City Council for final action; staff said the next planning commission meeting is scheduled for April 15.
